Keep Christ in Christmas

• Explore the true essence of celebrating the holiday with our insightful article on how to keep Christ in Christmas.
• Delve into the heartwarming history and connection between Christmas and Jesus Christ, reflecting on the significance of Christmas being for Jesus.
• Discover the spiritual depth of Christmas Christian traditions and how Christmas is about Jesus Christ.
• Enrich your celebration with meaningful insights and Christmas picture Jesus.
• Join us in a journey of faith, joy, and reverence, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Jesus-filled holiday.
• Embrace the true spirit of Merry Christ, moving beyond the Grinch Christ perspective to a deeper understanding of this blessed season.

The best Bible story on the birth of Jesus is found in the book of Luke Chapter 2:1-21 (NIV).

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

 

How did the holiday come to be? Is Christmas Christian?

The date December 25th was chosen by Emperor Constantine of Rome in 336 AD. This date was based on the idea of Mary's conception happening on March 25th. Therefore nine months later became the traditional date of the birth of Christ.

Here in the United States, Christmas became a National Holiday in 1870. President Ulysses S Grant thought it would help unite the country after the Civil War. It was the fourth National Holiday, added to Washington's birthday, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving. With New Years coming soon after.

Christmas is for Jesus

Growing up, Christmas was one of the most revered holidays. Everything, except essential services were closed. Families would attend church services and then go home for traditional dinners. For the children it might have been about the presents, but for the adults it was about being together, acknowledging the birth of the Savior, and passing family traditions down to their children. At that time most extended families lived nearby. Three or four generations would celebrate under one roof.

When I was young, my grandparents would come over Christmas Eve. We would eat dinner and then open most of our presents. I have memories that my parents would take us to church Christmas morning. Before we left my mother would put a roast in the oven and we would come home to that incredible aroma and eat dinner together. 

In America are we losing the true meaning of Christmas? 

In Ecclesiates 7:16-18, King Solomon wrote a thought on living. He stated that we should avoid all extremes. Don't be over righteous, but don't be unrighteous either. Don't be over wise, but don't be a fool.

With Christmas can we both enjoy the traditions of the season, without losing sight of the Savior's birth? Enjoy the music, the tree lights, the presents, the plentiful food, while still making time to tell of the story of Christ. 

As I began this writing, I mentioned that Luke Chapter 2 has the best story of the birth of Jesus. Maybe on Christmas Eve before the children go to bed you make it a family tradition of reading that story to them. Then pray with them to remind them that Christmas is much more than all of the glitter and lights. I wrote a poem in the spirit of The Night Before Christmas, that might be easier for children to listen to. It's included at the end. 

In reality though, the children won't grasp the true meaning of Christmas if the adults don't do it first. Christmas has been deemed one of the most stressful times of the year. While all of our adoptive traditions are wonderful, they can also require a lot of attention. Consider this incomplete list. Card sending, present shopping, light hanging, tree decorating, food buying, guest inviting, house cleaning, and gift wrapping. Whew! It may be the most Wonderful Time of the Year, but it's also exhausting. So what can get lost in all of this, Jesus Christ. 

I ask that each of you that are reading this will find a way to bring the message of Jesus into your household. Let it become one of your most important family traditions. The world is spinning at the same speed as it always has, we're just moving faster on it. 

Merry Christmas!!

‘Twas the night of the Savior”

Based on Luke Chapter 2, NIV 

In the days of Caesar’s decree,

Joseph and Mary went home to be three.

Mary expecting a child,

the son of God, meek and mild.

It came time for the baby to be born,

no room at the inn for her firstborn.

Wrapped in cloths in a manger,

safe and sound from all danger.

With shepherds nearby at night,

an Angels appearance caused fright.

He brought news of great joy.

The savior was born as a boy.

He will be Christ and the Lord,

the hope of man, to be adored.

God's glory shone from above,

the sign of His precious love.

A company of heavenly host,

praising God in the most-saying

"Glory to God in the highest,

peace on those His favor rest".

When the Angels had left them,

they went to search Bethlehem.

They found Jesus and spread the word.

Telling others what they'd seen and heard.

The story they told, all amazed.

Returning home, God they praised.

Mary treasured in her heart,

all these things from the start.

This is the true Christmas story,

And to God be the glory.